Humans' Desire for Immortality and the Pursuit of Purpose
Humans are loaded with ego and desire to live an immortal existence in order to accept whatever comes their way. As a result, humanity might commit immoral activities to satisfy their heart needs. Despite the knowledge that humanity will not exist forever, humans tend to believe this. Many people believe they have more time on earth and may do anything they want regardless of the repercussions. Many individuals try everything they can to prevent death, which is unavoidable. But, because one's time on earth is short, one must be careful about what they engage in. People should seek to touch and influence the lives of others to be commemorated even after death. Living a life of purpose and contentment is essential. This paper looks at the epic of how Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and their journey to pursue triumph, admiration, praise, and immortality.<\/p>
The Tyrant King, Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh was a young king during the time of Uruq (known currently as Iraq), in 2700 B.C. (TEOG 55). Several ancient mythologies regard Gilgamesh as an extraordinary man who had supernatural powers. The king was said to be more of a god than human. However, he had to encounter death just like any other person. Gilgamesh was a tyrant leader who took advantage of his citizens and demanded battles and adventures to show his strength, increase his popularity and build his legacy. He was so ruthless that he required the privilege of being involved with brides before their husbands were permitted to do so. His arrogance is displayed in his actions that illustrate an individual who believes he has the right to do whatever pleases him.<\/p>
The Creation of Enkidu
Due to these torments, his followers prayed to heaven for the gods to intervene and save them from the callousness and arrogance of their king. After hearing their complaints, the mother goddess Aruru responded by creating another being (Enkidu) who exceeded the looks and strength of Gilgamesh (TEOG. Tablet I 61). He may be likened to the army leaders such as Alexander the Great of the early episodes who persuade fame on the combat zone. Enkidu is created as a mirror image to equal or overrun Gilgamesh\u2019s prowess. The goddess Aruru hopes to use him to deter Gilgamesh pursuit of more power.<\/p>
Enkidu's Transformation and Friendship with Gilgamesh
Enkidu, in this story, is seen as a great hero made by gods counterbalance the intemperate excise of powers by Gilgamesh. It was assumed that Enkidu lived in the wild together with animals and had no knowledge about human beings and their ways of living (TEOG. Tablet I 62-63). He is lured into the human civilization when he fell in love with Shamhat, a sex worker from the goddess of passion temple. Enkidu is unable to control his feelings for the good-looking Shamhat and ends falling in love with her. Slowly by slowly, he begins to learn how human beings operate and relate to each other. Soon, the animals discard him since he got engrossed to the rational way of living and abandon them when they need him most.<\/p>
Enkidu believes that he was stronger than Gilgamesh. He decides to journey to Uruk to confront Gilgamesh since he felt that the young king was oppressing people. When the two meet, they wage war but after that become great friends (TEOG. Tablet II-III 68-71). The two allies merge and concur the giant guard of the cedar woodland, and kill the Heaven Bull. Initially, Enkidu was reluctant to fight, but he is immensely influenced by Gilgamesh to the extent he consequently possesses the same temperament as Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh determination to defeat the divinely appointed guardian in mere efforts to cement his legacy showcases the epitome of his arrogance. Moreover, he rejects the romantic advances of Ishtar, the patron goddess hence bringing disaster to all of his subjects. His actions angered the gods who rule that one of them has to die. In this case, they decide that Enkidu ought to die (TEOG. Tablet VII 87-88).<\/p>
Gilgamesh's Transformation and Acceptance of Mortality
At the end of this tale, Gilgamesh comes back to his senses and gains wisdom after suffering immense misery and grief after the demise of his ally Enkidu. He matures up and begins to protect his subjects. He learns protection of human life is better and valuable compared to immorality. Gilgamesh also accepts that he is a mortal being who will eventually die and Uruk will live on even after his death (TEOG. Tablet XI 103-110).<\/p>
The Consequences of Human Greed
In conclusion, greed for power and material things has forced a man to defile all odds of nature. In the epic, Gilgamesh is initially depicted as a tyranny king whose insensitive actions results not only in the suffering of his subjects but also the death of his companion. Some people deceive, steal, seek divine powers and even kill other people others in efforts to achieve their hearts desires. It's very alarming of how far a human being can go and the crazy things one can engage to gain power and authority. The funny aspect is that, even after all these gratifications, death still subdues the human.<\/p>
Work Cited
Puchner, Martin. “The Epic of Gilgamesh.” The Norton Anthology of Western Literature, 9th ed., vol.1, W.W, Norton & Company, Inc., New York, 2014, pp.54-110. Print.
